Car accidents can happen for a myriad of reasons, and even the most careful drivers can find themselves in a split-second situation they never saw coming. But from simple distractions to mindless speeding, some of the common causes of car accidents can be avoided, and knowing about them is half the battle.
The team at Clardy Law Firm says that being aware of the leading causes of road accidents is the first step to reducing risk and staying protected when behind the wheel. So let’s dive into the most common causes of car accidents and how to avoid them.
Distracted Driving
According to the NHTSA, 315,167 people were injured by distracted driving in 2024 alone. These risky behaviors could include using or looking at your phone, eating, changing music, or using satnav while driving. It is plainly documented that this type of distracted driving is hugely risky and, in many states, is completely illegal. Being aware of the dangers of this, even for a second or two, can be a life-saving decision.
Good habits to adopt are:
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Put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode
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Set your route before you start driving
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Avoid multitasking in any way while behind the wheel.
A few mindful changes can instantly make you and other road users much safer.
Speeding
Speeding has been illegal in America since at least 1901, so its dangers are well known and legislated. But when you’re running late or maybe suffer from road rage occasionally, pushing that accelerator too much is easy. It is, however, imperative that drivers remain calm and focused on their speed at all times.
According to the European Commission, “traveling just 5 km/h (just over 3 miles an hour) faster than a 60 km/h (just over 60 miles per hour) limit can double the chance of a casualty crash, similar to the risk of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05”. In short, it should be known just how much speeding reduces reaction time and worsens crash impacts, and to be cognizant of this while behind the wheel.
A few small changes that could lower your chances of speeding are:
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Allow plenty of time for travel
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Keep a safe distance from other drivers
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Stay cool! Focus on patience, not pace.
Cause 3: Driving Under the Influence
Much like speeding, driving under the influence is a known risk factor. The NHTSA has noted that on average, over the 10 years from 2014 to 2023, about 11,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes. Every driver should have these stark statistics in mind before drinking or taking drugs if planning on driving the same evening or morning after.
Whether it be alcohol, drugs, or certain prescription medications, many substances can mean bad reaction time, poor coordination, and dangerous judgments are made. Drivers should never underestimate the level of impairment and always plan a designated driver.
Injury due to a drunk driver is sadly still common. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer for expert guidance if you have been a victim of such.
Cause 4: Fatigue and Drowsy Driving
Some prescription drugs prohibit you from driving due to their drowsiness effect, but the same argument can be made for driving with extreme fatigue. That feeling of being overly tired can mirror drunk driving’s reduced reaction times and focus, for example.
Whether due to long shifts, late-night drives, monotonous roads, or small children being up in the night, drivers should keep a few things in mind to tackle the dangers of driving when drowsy.
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Take breaks every two hours.
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Share driving duties on long trips.
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Listen to warning signs — yawning, drifting lanes, heavy eyes. Pull over as soon as possible for a rest if any of these start to happen.
Cause 5: Poor Weather and Road Conditions
Rain, ice, fog, potholes, or poor lighting. These are risky conditions that one cannot always predict and certainly can’t control. However hard to see coming, there are a handful of practical tips for prevention that drivers could hold in mind while traveling:
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Check weather forecasts before driving
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Maintain healthy tires and brakes
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Increase the following distance in bad weather.
Car crashes that happen during challenging weather conditions can lead to complex legal proceedings. For more information, read this article by the lawyers at Clardy Law.
In short, safe driving revolves around awareness and responsibility. The more you understand the common causes of car accidents, the greater the chance that you can make sensible choices on the road to prevent them.